The Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to PFMA members, their employees and their children so that they can attend college or graduate school.

Scholarship applications are available in the fall. All PFMA member companies are encouraged to hang posters in their break rooms to announce the scholarships.

History

In 1995, PFMA formed a partnership with the Pittsburgh Association of Manufacturers Representatives (PAMR) and the Northwestern Pennsylvania Food Council to hold a fund raising dinner to benefit the Thomas R. Ridge Scholarship Fund.

The Ridge Scholarship honors former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge’s father, who was a member of the food industry for 25 years. In 2001, the scholarship committee decided to include Tom Ridge’s mother, Laura, in the scholarship’s name, since she was also a great advocate of education for Governor Ridge, his brother David and sister Vikki. Through the years, Ridge dinners raised enough money for an endowment. PFMA members are encouraged to donate money to the fund when they pay their membership dues each year. Brokers, manufacturers’ representatives, retailers and wholesalers support the Ridge Fund.

An independent judging panel selects the scholarship recipients each year. Since 1996, 563 students have received Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarships, totaling more than $1 million, to continue their education.

How to Apply

Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship applications are accepted from December 1, 2018 through the March 5, 2019 deadline. Click here to apply.